Straw Poll

Reasons that normal, rational people should ignore the straw poll:

• It takes place at a state fair (butter cows, anyone?)
• Tickets are $35 -- yes, you pay to vote
• …except that very few people pay: the candidates buy blocks of tickets and bus people in.
• It is a fundraiser for the Republican party. No, this is not my lefty humor; it really is a fundraiser.

This sort of stuff cheapens the race.